LCC Daily Devotions

Monthly Archives: May 2015

if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

Can you imagine God’s presence being so real in a Sunday morning service that the pastor doesn’t get to preach, the choir and special singers don’t get to perform and the elders can’t attend to their duties? It happened in Solomon’s temple. Observe the elements at work in church that day: 1) They confessed their sins. John Owen said, ‘He that hath slight thoughts of sin, never had great thoughts of God.’ Things that trouble you nowhere else will trouble you profoundly in the presence of God. What kinds of things? Politics without principle, pleasure without conscience, reputation without character, and knowledge without conviction. 2) They humbled themselves. The Bible says, ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble’ (James 4:6). Humility means saying, ‘Lord, I don’t have a thing You didn’t give me. And everything I’ll ever need comes from You.’ 3) They prayed; not formal, poetic prayers, but heartfelt prayers of repentance. Here’s how God responded: ‘If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer made in this place’ (2 Chronicles 7:14-15). 4) They gave sacrificially. The people brought 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep, the largest sacrifice recorded in the Bible. Why? Because when you open your hand toward God, He opens His hand toward you. But here’s the thing: God has a bigger hand!

Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me acknowledge and confess my sins and be humbled by Your grace and forgiveness. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:12

The Bible says, ‘The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body.’ Let’s use what may seem like a ridiculous illustration. Imagine your foot no longer wanting to be part of your body and when you ask why, it starts saying things like, ‘I’m tired of getting walked on and dragged through the mud. Other parts of the body get off easy, but I have to do the heavy lifting. Nobody appreciates me. They talk about beautiful eyes and hair and lips, but nobody writes songs about feet. So I’m leaving.’ When you enquire what your foot’s future plans are, it says, ‘I’m just going to sit at home and watch Christian TV.’ Now, Christian broadcasting is great, especially for those who are shut in and can’t get out to church. But when you leave a church (the people of God) without God’s permission, you no longer function as He designed you to. You may have peace for a while, but you’ll have no fulfilment. And because you are cut off from your spiritual food supply—you won’t grow into maturity. ‘Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand”, that does not make it any less a part of the body…God has put each part just where he wants it…In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary’ (1 Corinthians 12:14-22). Why should you come back to church? For community, nurturing, mission in working together, and being part of something that makes a difference in people’s lives for eternity.

Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me be drawn to Your people and work with Your people to accomplish Your Will. My worth comes in being with Your People doing Your Will. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

And the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled his temple. 1 Kings 8:11

Only when the Ark of the Covenant was brought into the temple and set in its rightful position, which was the central place, did God’s glory fill the temple. ‘Then the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the Lord to its place…[And] the cloud filled the house of the Lord, so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord’ (vv. 6, 10-11). There’s a lesson here for all of us, particularly those in church leadership. Christ alone must have center stage! Programs and promotions are fine but only when Jesus is honored as Lord, His Word preached and His presence reverenced and relished, will His glory fill the church (his people!). Next time you’re standing in God’s house singing His praise, pause and remind yourself: it’s about Him, not me! One day the telephone rang in the clergyman’s office at the Washington church President Franklin Roosevelt attended. A voice enquired, ‘Do you expect the President to be in church on Sunday?’ The pastor answered, ‘That, I cannot promise. But we expect the Lord to be there, and that should be incentive enough for a reasonably large attendance.’ Hymnist Fanny Crosby wrote these words: ‘Were the whole realm of nature mine, That were a present far too small. Love so amazing, so divine, Demands my soul, my life, my all.’ Next Sunday don’t just fill the pew, be filled by God’s presence – and leave with His presence in you!

Prayer
Heavenly Father, it is all about You and doing Your Will! Help me always to remember that. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:5

We don’t go to church, we are the church! If we met for worship in the parking lot, we’d still be the church! Consider Solomon’s temple. It was planned by David the father, built by Solomon the son, and at its dedication filled with the Holy Spirit. Here are three ways your church is just like Solomon’s temple: 1) It was built on redemption ground! Mount Moriah, the scene of Solomon’s temple, is where Abraham took his son Isaac to offer him as a sacrifice. Guess what? Two thousand years later God led His only begotten Son up that same mountain to die for our sins. As G. D. Boardman said, ‘The cross is the only ladder high enough to touch Heaven’s threshold.’ 2) It was the most unique building ever constructed. It was built from stones made ready before they were brought together. They were washed, then fashioned, then fitted together. And that’s our story too, isn’t it? ‘You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house…offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.’ 3) The building materials came from many nations. We aren’t saved by race, but by grace. It’s not the blood that flows in your veins that saves you; it’s the blood that flowed from Christ’s veins that makes you righteous and accepted before God. Two unique phrases are used to describe Solomon’s temple: ‘exceeding magnifical’ (1 Chronicles 22:5); ‘famous everywhere for its greatness and beauty’ (v. 5). That’s how God feels about His church, and you should too! But remember – God’s church is His people and not the building!

Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to be accepting and supportive and work with those in my church so that unity and growth for your Kingdom can be achieved. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her Ephesians 5:25

The church isn’t made up of people who are better than everybody else. It’s made up of people who want to be better than they are, and who know that by the grace of God they can be. Have church leaders sometimes failed us? Yes, but Jesus Christ, the Head of the church, hasn’t failed us—and He never will! Christ’s church, of which your local church is a part, was planned by God before the world began (Ephesians 1:4). It was paid for in the crimson cash of Jesus’ blood, has been sustained through history by the sacrifice of the martyrs, is prophesied to be more glorious in its ending than its beginning, and is being prepared right now as a bride for her Husband. John of Revelation describes it this way: ‘Rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready’ (Revelation 19:7). So before you attack the leadership, withdraw your membership, or withhold your stewardship, remember that nothing on earth is dearer to the heart of God than His church. The truth is, when you hurt any part of the body you also hurt the Head. And here’s something else to keep in mind: the only thing on earth that has a future is the church; all the rest is going up in smoke. And the church’s insurance policy is guaranteed by Jesus Himself, Who said, ‘I will build My church; and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it’ (Matthew 16:18). So love your church—Jesus does!

Prayer
Heavenly Father, as imperfect as my church may be – we are all redeemed sinners at Your feet. Help me be an active participant in Your Church. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Philippians 2:13

Owning your dream means having your belief in yourself outweigh your fears. Acclaimed author Marianne Williamson wrote in her book ‘A return to love’ the inspiring verse: ‘Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. We ask ourselves, “Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous?” Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people don’t feel insecure around you. We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.’ What does this mean? It means that we are not supposed to be afraid. But what are we not supposed to be afraid of? We are not to be afraid of ourselves, of our own unique abilities and talents. You will never embrace your God-given destiny until you first believe in yourself. And that belief comes from knowing: ‘God is working in [me], giving [me] the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.’ God gave you these unique abilities because He has plans for you ‘…plans to prosper and not harm you…give you hope and a future’ (Jeremiah 29:11).

Prayer
Heavenly Father, I am a child of Yours that You created and blessed so that I can be a blessing to others. Thank You in Jesus’ Name, Amen

Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” Luke 12:14

It is said that in 1923 seven of the world’s most successful men met at a Chicago hotel: the president of the largest independent steel company, the president of the largest utility company, the greatest wheat speculator, the president of the New York Stock Exchange, a member of the President’s Cabinet, the president of the Bank of International Settlements and the president of the world’s greatest monopoly. Collectively these tycoons controlled more money than there was in the United States’ Treasury. Now, fast forward 25 years and let’s see what happened to them. Charles Schwab, president of the largest independent steel company, lived the last five years of his life on borrowed money and died a pauper. Arthur Cooger, the greatest wheat speculator, shot himself. Richard Whitney, president of the New York Stock Exchange, spent three years in prison. Albert Fall, a member of the President’s cabinet, went to prison for bribery. Leon Fraser, president of the U.S. Bank of International Settlements, shot himself. Ivan Kreuger, head of one of the world’s largest monopolies, also committed suicide. If the recent economic upheaval has taught us anything, it’s that money brings neither security nor happiness. Yes, God will entrust you with HIS money (Deuteronomy 8:18). And He will do it for two reasons: 1) Because He delights in seeing His redeemed children blessed to be a blessing to others (Psalms 35:27). 2) Because He expects you to use your money to reach a hurting world with God’s love. If you keep those two things in mind, you’ll be living for the right reasons.

Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to always remember I am blessed to be a blessing to others and all that I possess is not mine but Thine’s. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14

Paul writes: ‘Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me…All of us…who are mature should take such a view of things’ (vv. 13-15). Paul was driven by his vision of reaching the world for Christ (Romans 10:1). It was his yardstick for daily living and his motivation for every effort. It made him relentless. An unknown poet wrote: ‘When things go wrong as they sometimes will, and the road you’re trudging seems all uphill. When funds are low and the debts are high, and you want to smile but you have to sigh. When things are pressing you down a bit, rest if you must, but don’t you quit! Life is strange with its twists and turns, as every one of us sometimes learns. And many a failure turns about, when he might have won if he’d stuck it out. Don’t give up, though the pace seems slow—you might succeed with another blow. Often the goal is nearer than it seems, to a faint and faltering man. Often the struggler has given up, when he might have captured the victor’s cup. And he learned too late, when the night slipped down, how close he was to the golden crown. Success is failure turned inside out—the silver tint of the clouds of doubt. You never can tell how close you are, it may be near when it seems afar. So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit—it’s when things seem worst that you mustn’t quit.’

Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me fight the good fight, finish the race, and never give up on what you have planned for me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace Ephesians 1:7

‘Peter asked, “How many times should I forgive someone who does…wrong to me? Is seven times enough?” Jesus answered: “Not…seven…but seventy-seven times!”’ (Matthew 18:21-22). But we shouldn’t stop there. If God gave each of us only seventy-seven ‘forgiveness passes’, we’d be in trouble! You can’t bankrupt your ‘forgiveness account’ with God. But when you refuse to forgive others, you’re overlooking the fact that ‘You might be needing forgiveness before the day’s out’ (Galatians 6:1). Jesus said, ‘Forgive—only then will your heavenly Father…wipe your slate clean’ (Mark11:25). Whether it’s seven, seventy-seven, or seven thousand times, you always reap what you sow (Galatians 6:7). We’re all human, and when somebody hurts us we want justice. But God wants you to forgive the wrongdoer before he asks or shows any sign of remorse. Does that mean he will escape the consequences of his actions? No, it just means you’re not responsible for making it happen—God is. Harboring grudges is spiritually, emotionally and physically draining; forgiveness energizes and frees you to move on. Remember, you’ve been forgiven ‘in accordance with the riches of…grace…He lavished on us.’ But it comes with the requirement that you forgive others! When you think about the debt God forgave you, anything anyone could ever do to you pales by comparison, right? ‘His love has no limits, His grace has no measure, His power no boundary known unto men; For out of His infinite riches in Jesus, He giveth and giveth and giveth again’ (Annie Johnson Flint, 1866-1932). Now that’s lavish grace!

Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for the grace You lavish on me each day. Help me to forgive others with the same grace You give me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

At David’s invitation, he ate and drank with him, and David made him drunk. But in the evening Uriah went out to sleep on his mat among his master’s servants; he did not go home. 2 Samuel 11:13

Try to picture these two scenes. First: Christ in heaven defending you and acting as your Advocate before God. ‘If anybody does sin, we have One who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ’ (1 John 2:1). Second: You here on earth, accusing someone. The Bible calls Satan ‘the accuser of our brothers… who accuses them before our God day and night’ (Revelation 12:10). Which side are you on? You say, ‘But I heard it on the grapevine.’ Has it ever occurred to you that you might not be connected to the right vine? Jesus said, ‘I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit’ (John 15:5). The fruit Jesus referred to here is ‘good’ fruit. He said, ‘Blessed are the peacemakers.’ And what’s the opposite of a peacemaker? A stirrer! These are often people with inner turmoil, unresolved issues or a chip on their shoulder who go through life stirring stuff up. When they see a tapestry, they look for a thread to unravel it. Some do it deliberately, others unwittingly. When you have little or no joy in your own life, it’s hard to celebrate joy in the lives of others. To be a peacemaker you must nip conflict, criticism and complaining in the bud. Tactfully steer the conversation in a different direction. And if need be, talk to the person who is stirring things up. At best, you’ll help them to change. At second best, they’ll think twice about what they say to you.

Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to be an agent of peace in situations where there is strife. In Jesus’ Name, Amen